Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2015 | 5 | 7% | 5,000 miles |
| 2014 | 7 | 6% | 1,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2012 | 2 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% | 10,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 2% | 76,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 1% | 2,000 miles |
| 2004 | 5 | 1% | 78,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% | 60,000 miles |
| 2002 | 7 | 1% | 88,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 0% | — |
| 2000 | 12 | 1% | 50,000 miles |
| 1999 | 48 | 3% | 56,000 miles |
| 1998 | 12 | 4% | 185,000 miles |
| 1997 | 13 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 1996 | 15 | 8% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 34 | 13% | 35,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I was stopped at a red light and struck from behind by another smaller vehicle pushing me into a minivan in front of me. On initial impact, the drivers seat was dislodged from the mounting frame. When I hit the minivan in front of me, the airbags did not deploy and my shoulder seat restraint did not engage causing my eye to strike the steering wheel. I have nerve damage as a result of the seat belt not engaging and the airbags not deploying. The vehicle sustained enough damage, including frame damage, that it was considered a total loss. It was 6 weeks old at the time of the incident. I was the only person in the accident who required medical attention. I believe the seat mounting failed, the airbags failed to properly deploy and the shoulder restraint significantly failed. I have pictures indicating the seatbelt fully extended, but did not engage, and will no longer retract. …
The trucks have a vibration that is felt in the steering wheel, floor, seats, accelerator and brake pedals etc. While driving. The major consensus it that the worst speed it 76 MPH, yet it is felt to a lesser degree at any speeds, with some being worse than others. There are a large number of trucks with this issue, yet general motors refuses to do anything about it. It began within a couple weeks of purchasing my truck. I found people first reporting the issue in 2015, and more recently it continues with the 2015 and 2016 model years.
Tl contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while backing out of a parking space at approximately 5 MPH, the power seats and mirrors began to move without warning causing the contact to crash into a telephone pole. The contact did not specified if there were any injuries or if a police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that a wire connected to the seat module was pinched and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,855. Updated 04/10/15 updated 9/27/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while reversing, the driver's seat became unlatched and moved forward independently causing the contact to be thrown against the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 22,000. The VIN was not available.
After reading an article about a paraplegic woman who got severely burned by her friends suburban's heated seats, I find it essential to report that I've always found that my drivers heated seat sometimes get extremely hot. Fortunately, I have been able to turn them off before any injuries. The woman reported not knowing how her heated seat got turned on. If her friends vehicle is like mine, an many others who have complained on multiple open forum websites, the heated seats in many of Chevrolet's trucks and suvs are known to turn on their own. I have had to unplug my seats due to the heater turning on erratically and cycling through the 3 heat levels on their own. It has been reported on multiple websites that people have complained to GM about this issue and people whose vehicle were not covered under warranty have been forced to purchase a very expensive door switch assembly. …
Drivers seat heater comes on all the time by it self and on high. You can switch it off and it keeps coming back on. Very distracting at high speeds turning it off all the time. It gets very hot and out of control. Maybe could catch fire?? I have it disconnected now but doing that none of the seat controls work. To work seat you must plug it back in to operate the seats. Checked online and many seat heat switches come on by it self on many GMC cars and trucks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the driver seat. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the ECM box was damaged and needed replacement. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The contact also stated that the same failure occurred in December of 2015. The approximate failure mileage was 78,344.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact indicated that after restarting the engine the vehicle operated as normal. The contact also indicated that the passenger side seat belt had malfunctioned and the passenger was unable to move while the seat belt was in the locked position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Related recalls (2)
Seats
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles manufactured August 1, 2013, through September 10, 2013, and equipped with manual reclining seatbacks. In the affected vehicles, either of the front seatbacks may have play.
Remedy: GM has notified owners. Dealers will inspect the seatback recliner mechanisms and make adjustments, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2013.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Silverado years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (48), 1995 (34), 1996 (15), 1997 (13) and 1998 (12) model years. Seat complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Silverado seat problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 14V-446 (seats, Jul 23, 2014); 13V-488 (head restraint, Oct 17, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Silverado seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 61,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › recliner (43 mentions), followed by the front assembly › power adjust (17).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.